Welt-cleaner and blacking-spreader.



No. 756,768. PATENTED APR. 5, 1904. c. P. .ZIEGLBR.

WELT CLEANER AND BLAGKING SPREADER. APPLICATION nun Jun 20, 1903.

no 10mm.

UNITED STATES Patented April 5, 1904.

PATENT ()FFICE.

WELT-CLEANER A'ND BLACKlNG-SPREADER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 756,768, dated April 5, 1904. Application filed June 20, 1903. Serial N0..162,416. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES F. ZIEGLER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bloomington, in the county of McLean, State of Illi- 5 nois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Welt-Cleaners and Blacking- Spreaders, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved device for applying blacking, paste, or other polishing material or substance to boots and shoes;

' and the object thereof is to provide a device by means of which such material can be readily applied as desired without soiling the hands of the user.

A further object is to provide such a device with means by which dirt, &c. can be removed from the surface to which the polish or blacking is to be applied and particularly from the creases of or around the welt of a shoe.

With these and other ends in view the invention consists of a device constructed as hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective View of a device constructed in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view through the device. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the metal body of the device before the fabric strip is applied thereto. Fig. 4: is a view of the blank from which the metal body is formed.

Referring to the drawings, in which like numerals of reference designate correspondmg parts 1n the several figures, it will be seen that the device consistsof a metal body or holder and a fabric strip firmly clamped be tween jaws of flanges on said body. 6

The strip 1 may be of any suitable material and shape, although it is preferably formed of felt and of polygonal form in cross-section and so secured to the metal holder or body of the device as to project therefrom and provide two oppositely-inclined surfaces 2 3 on its projecting section. v

The body of the device is formed from a single metal sheet shown in Fig. 4. In forming the body said blank is bent upon itself to form a scraper 5 or blank 4 of the shape and two outwardly-flaring jaw-like portions 6 7 in the free edge of each of which is formed a series of teeth or projecting points 8, adapted to be bent into and securely engage the strip 1 when the latter is inserted between said jaws. End flanges 9 integral with that portion of the blank" that forms one side of the scraper 5 are bent about the ends of said scraper and close against the opposite side of the same. If desired, said flanges 9 may be secured in this-position by solder or any other suitable means. Ithas not, however, been found necessary to employ any such fastening or securing means for this purpose. As shown in the drawings, the flanges 9 extend from about the free edge of the scraper to the inner end thereof or to the point at which the adjacent jaw 7 begins to diverge from the body.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in .the drawings the strip 1 is substantially square in cross-section.

The scraper 5 is preferably made in the tapered form shown that is, increases in width from the strip 1 to its outer edge.

The manner of using and the advantages incident to a device constructed as hereinbefore described, and illustrated in the drawings, will be apparent. j 1

By using the sharp-pointed corners of the scraper or metal part of the device dirt is quickly removed from between the sole and upper of a shoe, and with the edge of the relatively flat scraper any dirt adhering to the side of the sole or to any other part of the boot or shoe is easily detached. The blacking or polishing material is applied by the felt strip 1 the narrow edge of which enables the user to apply such material even in the crease between the sole and upper.

The device is very cheap to manufacture,

very durable, and occupies a minimum amount being employed to apply the blacking or polishing paste.

Having thus described the invention and without limiting itto the exact details of the embodiment thereofillustratedin the accompanying drawings, what is claimed is 1. As an article of manufacture a device for the purpose described consisting of a metal body, forming a scraping-blade, and a fabric strip securely fastened to said body and projecting therefrom, the projecting portion of said strip having two converging sides,whereby a relatively narrow face is provided at the free edge thereof.

2. A device for the purpose described, consisting'of a metal body provided at one sidewith a scraping-blade and at its opposite-side with two jaws,. and a fabric strip secured between said jaws and projecting beyond the metal body, said strip being substantially rectangular in cross-section and so arranged between the jaws that the projecting portion thereof decreases in thickness from the jaws to its free edge. A

3. A device for the purpose described, consis'tingof a body formed from .a sheet-metal blank bent upon itself to provide a scraper and two integral flaring jaws each provided at its free edge with a series of teeth or holding points, and a fabric strip arranged between said jaws and engaged by the teeth or holding projections of both jaws and projecting beyond said body.

4. A device for the purpose described, consisting of a fabric strip, and a metal holder partly surrounding and securely engaging said 1 a metal holder formed from a blank bent upon itself to provide'two laterally flaring jaws, which engage the strip at diagonally opposite points, and an intermediate scraper that projects from the holderand serves as a handle whenthe fabric strip is in use.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

i CHARLES F. ZIEGLER. Witnesses:

HENRY DAULL, A. BARKER. 

